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Entrepreneurship:  Bed and Breakfast  |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 2:12:58 PM
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My daughter will be moving out of our little guest type house soon! I have all kinds of ideas running through my head right now. I have always wanted to fix it up real cute and do a weekend B&B. We live on a farm and have animals and I cook using mostly what I have raised or grown. And I know there is a market for that. We are near so many fun and educational places too. Plus out in the country and it's so quiet here.
The house is about 500 square feet. Has a nice front porch. Kitchen, bathroom, open living room-bedroom combo. It could sleep several people. I would offer food- both breakfast and dinner.
It needs lots of works. Like painting and floors mainly.
Or what I would also like to do would be have a couple who is into organic gardening come live there and help out around here for a place to live plus they'd pay electric.
Anyway, I have lots of ideas. Just need advice. Does anyone else do this with their guest house? Would this be a good thing to do? I know there would be insurance issues to think about.
Just thought I'd ask and see what happens. Thanks for your time.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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KD Earthwork
True Blue Farmgirl
210 Posts
Katie
Gualala
Calif.
USA
210 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 3:57:08 PM
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I'm always thinking of these ideas...I had a garage in a very small town that I converted to the cutest apartment.It was our bedroom,my oldest daughters bedroom,guest bedroom,a rental for a year(was great but she smoked when she'd promised she didn't.It took six months to get the smell out).I tried "Cozy Cabins" in another house,weekend rentals.It was hard to keep it as great looking as it needed to stay as a rental,I was working too much.
On our ranch now we're working towards a cabin or some different rentals ideas.This will supplement our income when we retire.Pay the prop.taxes here in Calif.I've always worked on trying to do it with a limited budget of time and money.The reality of what a visitor really needs has to be carefully considered.But I rent houses sometimes to visit my daughter in college and am always looking for cute homey places I can feel comfortable in.VRBO vacation rentals by owners is a good marketing site.Plus a breakfast included or fresh eggs and veggies people love.I live in a vacation area and our most popular spot rents small cabin and customers can pick veggies or chicken eggs.
Go for it girl!Look at Tiny house blog,inovative ideas.
Katie |
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violetrose
True Blue Farmgirl
960 Posts
Ruth
Epworth
GA
USA
960 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 5:33:46 PM
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Hi Kristin, Just read your note about maybe making your little extra space into a B&B. My husband and I live in Blue Ridge, GA, not far from you! We love to visit B&B's, and we especially like to stay where there are animals, crops, etc.
I found one in the North Carolina magazine that we would love to go to, they are Goat Farmers, make their own cheese, etc. They also serve dinner once a month and give farm tours. The name of it is Celebrity Dairy, in Siler City, NC if you want to check it out.
I wish you the best in whatever you decide to do! Dreams are wonderful! Ruth |
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clothedinscarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
1333 Posts
Siobhan
Battle Creek
MI
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 5:53:12 PM
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I'd visit your B&B Kristin!
Farmgirl Sister #1110
Siobhan - AKA Liza-Jane (my farmgirl name), wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2010 : 6:12:13 PM
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Ruth, I have dairy goats and have made cheese and make soap now with the goat milk. Also fresh eggs. Plus 2 huge gardens. I really would like to try this. But I think a web site would be great to get the word out about it. And I know nothing about how to do that. I have a friend who might set one up for me. I can't remember where Epworth is. I have heard of it. My hubby's a truck driver. I'm sure he's been there. And welcome to the forum!
Siobhan, you are welcome anytime! Come on down. I'll let ya know if I get this thing going and you could be my first visitor.
Katie, thatnk you for all your good ideas. I'll have to check out the Tiny house blog. And the Celebrity Dairy.
I think this would be fun. I have always wanted a B&B. And I love to cook. And show off the area here. It's beautiful.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2010 : 07:17:08 AM
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My daughter said they have found a place to move to!! So I am so ready to get started on the house. And there are ideas floating all over my head now. I just need lots of money! I am going to try to not have to borrow any. Maybe when I start selling produce I can make enough to get going. It's not going to be a fancy place. It's going to be more like a cabin. And we are out in the middle of no where too.
If anyone has advice or ideas, I would love to hear them.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2010 : 08:34:23 AM
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OOOOOOOh Kristin - I can see me sitting on that porch with my knitting right now!!! What a neat idea! There are many small B&B's in the Lancaster area of PA, and a number of them also offer the guests a chance to "help" around the farm - maybe milking your goats or helping with your cheese and soap making?
Luanne
beekeepersgirl #691
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2010 : 11:15:15 AM
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I know. I had thought about that too. Or picking their own dinner! Or even butchering their own chicken. Some people might not mind doing that. That way they know it's fresh off the farm! The possibilities are just endless. I don't know exactly when DD is moving yet so I am still waiting. I could be looking around for some good deals and sales on materials now.
So anytime you're coming this way stop by. I'd love to have some of my farmgirl sisters here.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Ga Girl
True Blue Farmgirl
2355 Posts
Karen
Meansville
Ga.
USA
2355 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 06:23:18 AM
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Oh Kris what an awesome idea and do you remember what hubby does for a living??? Floors!!! You can kill the chicken though, dont think I could eat it if I had to kill it. Thats why hubby wont let me have cows cause he knows if I have one i would get to attached! Oh well anyhow let me know what you decide. Blessings,Karen
Create in me a pure heart,O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Farmgirl sister #1156
www.KKJD1.etsy.com
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clothedinscarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
1333 Posts
Siobhan
Battle Creek
MI
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 2:43:12 PM
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Just let me know Kris! My husband and I would love to take a drive down there. He has family in GA. :)
Farmgirl Sister #1110
Siobhan - AKA Liza-Jane (my farmgirl name), wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 3:09:56 PM
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That is a wonderful idea Kris!! I would be your first customer!
Hugs!!
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 8:30:18 PM
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Oh ya'll, I am so excited about this! DD is moving out this weekend. Kansas will still be coming after school. She will have to help me. I hope everyone can come sometime. That would be so cool. I think I am going to do wood floors but with pine. I did the floors in our home years ago. My kids helped. We just bought a bunch of different width pine shelving boards and stained them and cut them different lenghts. We did the huge den and kitchen. It took a few days but it looked so good. And I was so much younger. I might have to get karen's hubby to come do it for me!
Shiobhan, I will let ya'll know when it's ready. Where in Ga. is his family? I am right below Chattanoog about 25 miles North.
Channah, I would love for you to come. That would be so Nice. I am ordering that book for you and it will sent right to you. It's finally out now. I bet you thought I forgot, huh?
Karen, you saw my cows when you were here, didn't you? I could never get rid of the girls now. I did have the steer that I bottle raised butchered. But when I got him I knew that's what he was for. And I knew Mazie was for having more for us. Now I have Roxie. I love them both. But chickens are a different story. How is your house coming along? Are ya'll in it yet?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Bear5
True Blue Farmgirl
13055 Posts
Louisiana/Texas
USA
13055 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 9:04:50 PM
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Kris:
That sounds like a great idea!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep us posted on the project.
Marly
"It's only when we truly know and understand that we have a limited time on earth- and that we have no way of knowing when our time is up- that we will begin to live each day to the fullest, as if it was the only one we had." Elisabeth Kurler-Ross |
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clothedinscarlet
True Blue Farmgirl
1333 Posts
Siobhan
Battle Creek
MI
USA
1333 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2010 : 05:26:44 AM
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Kristin, his family lives in Marietta. Is that anywhere near you?
Farmgirl Sister #1110
Siobhan - AKA Liza-Jane (my farmgirl name), wife to my best friend, Trent, and mommy to Camden (11/28/05) and Bennett (7/11/07). and Truman (7/28/09) |
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monicarose
True Blue Farmgirl
406 Posts
Monica
Florida
USA
406 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2010 : 1:22:13 PM
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| http://www.homestead.com/ Here's a web address for those of you wanting to create your own website......it's easy, they look wonderful, you can update it as often as you want...post pictures, etc...try it out! We used to use it at the Nursery I worked in! Now, about that BnB....I'd come and stay! I live in Florida and that would be a fun getaway! So when are you opening? |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2010 : 6:28:13 PM
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Marly, sure I will. I am ready to get started now!
Siobhan, that's about maybe 85-90 miles from here. About an hour and a half, depending on who's driving!
Thanks, Monica. I will look into that. I have been to Fla. a few times. I lived in Orlando a few months when I was 19. I worked at a Pizza Hut in Kissimee. Then I went to Port St. Joe (?) and I loved a little old town near there, I think it was Appalacthacola, that had an old cemetary and a great little pub that served THE best marguarita in the world. Made with Tupelo honey. Oh my goodness, I would go back there just for that. But yeah, please come up. I'll let ya know when I am ready.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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barefootmama
True Blue Farmgirl
133 Posts
Jennifer
BLOOMSBURG
Pennsylvania
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - Apr 17 2010 : 11:51:53 PM
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Wow!!!!that is awesome kristin! we would def come to your B&B sounds great! good luck with fixing up the floors! Kierra is writing Coryn another letter this weekend..they could meet if we came to your B&B Woohoo1 So excited for you!!!!cant wait to see pictures!!
Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves,for they shall never cease to be amused:) |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 12:30:19 PM
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Jennifer, did Kierra get a letter from Coryn yet? I can't remember. They will be here again this next weekend and I will make them both sit down and write some letters. I need to, too.
That would be great if ya'll could come. I was telling my hubby I already have several farmgirl friends who will come to my B&B. DD has moved out most of her things so I will be getting estimates on how much this is going to cost to get the house ready. I also need to get my gardens going. I am way behind according to my garden journal from last year. Bad me.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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barefootmama
True Blue Farmgirl
133 Posts
Jennifer
BLOOMSBURG
Pennsylvania
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 12:50:16 AM
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Kristin, Kierra did get a letter and she just finished up another one to the lovely Miss Coryn..ill get some stamps and mail it out monday if I get a chance haha ,worked all weekend and have 3 days worth of stuff to get caught up on in one day lol
Blessed are those who can laugh at themselves,for they shall never cease to be amused:) |
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maggie14
True Blue Farmgirl
6784 Posts
Hannah
Washington
USA
6784 Posts |
Posted - Apr 19 2010 : 6:03:45 PM
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I did kinda Kristin. lol Sorry! Thanks so much for getting it for me! You are such a sweetheart!
Hugs!!
Channah
Farmgirl sister #1219
Just a small town country girl trying to live her dreams. :) |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
Posted - Jul 23 2010 : 10:39:25 AM
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Hey Kristin!
Just came across this thread again and wondered if you had made any progress on getting your B & B up and running? I'd sure love to take a trip down that way one of these days!
Luanne
beekeepersgirl
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 25 2010 : 3:08:26 PM
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Luanne, sorry, I just saw that you had posted here. I have not done anything over there. I have no money! I did buy 10 turkey poults a few months ago and had them over there. I just put them outside a few weeks ago. I really need to do something. It's so hot right now though. And we are plumb broke. So it might have to wait awhile. It's ok but really needs to be painted and have new floors put down. There's lenoleum and it's a little cracked in places. I just want it to be so cute and cabiney. But you could still come on down! I'll get it all cleaned up. There is a bed and queen sofa sleeper and chairs. And a kitchen and bathroom. And a window AC unit that cools the whole place.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Montrose Girl
Farmgirl Legend/Schoolmarm
1360 Posts
Laurie
Montrose
CO
1360 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 07:14:18 AM
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There are a few books you might be able to get from your library that talk about setting up a B&B. My boyfriend has one and they were a great help when he got started. Also, go visiting. Most owners will show off rooms and you can check websites. I'm still building his site, but if you check in a a week or so www.inntheorchardbnb.com.
There are a few hints to make life easy, like having several sets of sheets. When you have back to back guests it is easier to strip and remake a bed and then worry about washing. Right now I am working on making soap and cutting them into smaller sizes for the guests. A full bar gets wasted as most guests don't want to use the bar from someone else.
Also, when you get ready to do you website give me a hollar if you have any questions or just in general. I'm sure the BF would be willing to take to you too if you have any questions.
Best of luck,
Laurie
Best Growing |
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beekeepersgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1423 Posts
Luanne
Cresco
PA
USA
1423 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 07:23:58 AM
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Hi Kristin -
Oh, how I would love to come for a visit! But, you know what summers are like - working full time plus canning, gardening, etc. etc. - but it's lovely to at least think about being in a quiet cabin in the country with nothing that I have to do but maybe knit or read a book and enjoy the peace!
Maybe someday!
Luanne
beekeepersgirl
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 3:48:41 PM
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Laurie, that would be great. Thanks. I will keep ya'll in mind when I am ready. The soap is a good idea too. Anything handmade is a good thing in a B&B.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Jul 28 2010 : 3:49:46 PM
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Luanne, keep checking back. It might be I'll be able to start getting it fixed up this fall.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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Entrepreneurship: Bed and Breakfast |
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Bed and Breakfast
